Press Release: Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address on Expanding Access to New Daily Oral Contraception for BadgerCare Plus Members

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 03/21/2024 10:00 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address on Expanding Access to New Daily Oral Contraception for BadgerCare Plus Members
 
Audio File to Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address on his recent announcement that, at his direction, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued a standing order to ensure BadgerCare Plus members can access the new daily over-the-counter oral contraception pill, called Opill, with no out-of-pocket cost to them.

Hey there, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here with some very exciting news.

The first daily oral contraceptive pill for use without a prescription is hitting the store shelves and online retailers across Wisconsin. That contraception, known as Opill, was approved by the FDA for use last summer.

Today, folks across our state are going to be able to access the birth control they need without having to get a doctor’s prescription to get it.

That’s great news. But that’s not all.

As I announced in my State of the State address earlier this year, I’ve directed the Department of Health Services to issue a standing order to allow BadgerCare Plus members to pick up Opill from any Wisconsin Medicaid-enrolled pharmacy without a prescription and at no out-of-pocket cost to them.

This builds upon our standing order from earlier this year that did the same thing for over-the-counter emergency contraception.

Starting Monday, March 18th, BadgerCare Plus members can walk into any Wisconsin Medicaid-enrolled pharmacy without a prescription, pick up daily contraception or emergency contraception, and they’ll be able to leave the pharmacy with the medication they need at no out-of-pocket cost.

And that’s a big deal, folks.

This is an exciting milestone in our work to protect and expand reproductive freedom in Wisconsin.

I believe every Wisconsinite should be able to access the healthcare they need when they need it—and yes, that includes access to a broad range of contraception options.

So, we’re going to keep working to make sure folks can access the reproductive healthcare they need wherever and whenever it’s convenient for them.

Thank you.
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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